The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur currently hosts the second semifinal of the Ranji Trophy, with Mumbai going up against last season’s losing finalists Vidarbha. With two wickets left, Mumbai is way above the first innings score of Vidarbha, wanting to reach beyond the target of 383 runs as the proof on day three of the match.
These Mumbai players were mourned in black armbands on Wednesday, February 19, pleading Vidarbha to bring it down as low as possible in its first innings, in memory of deceased captain and selector Milind Rege, who succumbed to a heart attack on that Wednesday morning days after turning 76 years old.
“It’s very sad to hear about the demise of Milind Rege, Sir. A stalwart of Mumbai cricket; his contributions as a player, selector and mentor were invaluable,” MCA president Ajinkya Naik said.
“He was a guiding force behind generations of cricketers, and his legacy will live on forever. May his soul rest in peace. Heartfelt condolences for his family and loved ones,” he added.
Rege celebrated turning 76, last Sunday. He died in the early hours of Wednesday approximately around six in the morning while in the ICU at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. He leaves behind a wife and two sons.
This all-rounder, who had suffered a heart attack at the age of 26, later returned to the cricket field and even went on to captain Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy.
Rege was an off-break bowler with his right arm and took 126 wickets in first-class cricket between 1966-67 and 1977-78. Playing 52 matches, he contributed significantly with the bat as well, having scored 1,532 runs at an average of 23.56.
He was a childhood friend of former India captain Sunil Gavaskar. Rege attended the same school and college with Gavaskar and played alongside him at Dadar Union Sporting Club.
